Australia’s most stunning homes

The most incredible properties down under

Christie's International Real Estate

Home to some of the world’s most striking landscapes, it seems only fitting that Australia should also play host to some seriously gorgeous pieces of real estate too. From modernist masterpieces hiding in the treetops to Victorian manor houses steeped in history, we've rounded up some of the most beautiful residences the country has to offer…

Planchonella House, Cairns, Queensland

Sean Fennessy and Ben Hosking

Tucked away in the treetops of tropical north Queensland, this remarkable property was built in 2014 by Jessie Bennett Studio. The fascinating structure has been awarded numerous accolades for its innovative concrete design, such as the Australian House of the Year at the 2015 Houses Awards and the Robin Boyd Award for Residential Architecture at the 2015 National Architecture Awards.

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Planchonella House, Cairns, Queensland

Sean Fennessy and Ben Hosking

Now for sale with Modern House, the distinctive home perches on a ridge in the rainforest, flanked by a tranquil swimming pool for cooling off in the humid summer heat. An array of eco-friendly features have been incorporated into the design, such as passive cooling systems, deep eaves to shield the interior from the sun and cross ventilation to cool the property during the day.

Planchonella House, Cairns, Queensland

Sean Fennessy, Ben Hosking

The structure's wings stretch out on stilts to form curved open-plan living spaces – the kitchen zone features floating wooden counters and a small pantry tucked away behind a dividing wall. Architect Jesse Bennett's wife, designer Anne-Marie Campagnolo, is responsible for the home's stunning interior, combining vibrant colours and tactile textures with sleek modern touches.

Planchonella House, Cairns, Queensland

Sean Fennessy, Ben Hosking

Every space in Planchonella House is oriented to make the most of the property's beautiful location. In the bathroom, swathes of floor-to-ceiling glass frame phenomenal treetop vistas, drawing the rainforest inside the dramatic home. You could have a field day birdwatching from the bath...

New Farm Cottage, Brisbane, Queensland

Christopher Frederick Jones

Clad in white wood, this charming property was once a time-worn timber home that'd seen better days. Architects Vokes and Peters breathed new life into the historic house with a sensitive renovation, creating a stunning space for modern living while preserving the heritage of the site.

New Farm Cottage, Brisbane, Queensland

Christopher Frederick Jones

Inside, the double-height main living room lends an airy, spacious feel to the interior, exaggerated by the two-tone walls that zone the vast room. Upstairs, an open glass-fronted landing creates continuity between the levels, channelling daylight through the innovative layout.

New Farm Cottage, Brisbane, Queensland

Christopher Frederick Jones

Simple yet stylish, the crisp palette of white walls and ceilings evokes coastal beach house vibes, but it's the clever nods to the home's heritage that really stand out. We love the intricate archway that separates the dining room from the sitting room – just look at that woodwork!

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New Farm Cottage, Brisbane, Queensland

Christopher Frederick Jones

The owners were eager to have access to a backyard for their dogs to play in, as well as a swimming pool to cope with the humid Brisbane climate. To create a seamless connection between the house and the garden, the architects installed retractable doors across the walls at the rear of the house, forming a bright and breezy spot where they can lounge with their four-legged friends.

Bunda House, Springwood, New South Wales

Christie's International Real Estate

This historic Victorian manor sits within its own sprawling estate in the Blue Mountains. Built in the early 1880s, the estate features picturesque gardens, wide verandahs, original decorative iron fretwork and even a medieval tower. Showcasing exquisite craftsmanship from every angle, this sandstone masterpiece is currently for sale with Christie’s International Real Estate.

Bunda House, Springwood, New South Wales

Christie's International Real Estate

Nestled in the gated grounds, the stunning medieval turret tower folly adds extra wow-factor to this impressive property – just imagine dining alfresco with this dramatic backdrop! Elsewhere, the estate's half an acre of serene gardens are home to a scenic pavilion and a historic tool shed for green-fingered residents.

Bunda House, Springwood, New South Wales

Christie's International Real Estate

With a generous six bedrooms and four bathrooms, the interior is no less enchanting, with the dining room featuring stunning views of the medieval tower. The elegant accommodation at Bunda House offers a step back in time, from the original marble fireplaces to the historic leaded windows and intricate ceiling covings.

Bunda House, Springwood, New South Wales

Christie's International Real Estate

The extensive property also includes a cellar, ballroom, games room and library, so there's plenty of space for a large family to spread out. There's even a fully-tiled sauna for relaxing and unwinding after a long day enjoying the best the estate has to offer. It doesn't get much better than this!

Terrarium House, Brisbane, Queensland

Toby Scott

This early 1900s cottage might seem modest from the road, but the two-level home hides plenty of surprises. After extensive works to save the crumbling 100-year-old structure, the property is now a stunning blend of old and new. Thanks to bi-folding doors, the rear wall opens up to the great outdoors, while tropical indoor gardens blur the line between interior and exterior. Designed by John Ellway, Terrarium House won the Eleanor Cullis-Hill Award for Residential Architecture in 2019.

Terrarium House, Brisbane, Queensland

Toby Scott

An external staircase surrounded by ferns and lush vegetation frames the entrance to the three-bedroom Brisbane home. Inside, a spectacular open-plan living space, complete with warm, wooden fixtures, white-washed exposed brick and plenty of greenery, offers an airy, organic feel.

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Terrarium House, Brisbane, Queensland

Toby Scott

Stretching over 1,200 square feet, the sizeable family home is a masterclass in indoor-outdoor living. Concrete floors sit slightly above the ground level of the verdant garden outside, while airy double-height ceilings add to the sense of space and tranquility. Changes in the ceiling height zone the various living spaces, creating a cosy layout despite its grand proportions.

Terrarium House, Brisbane, Queensland

Toby Scott

With the wall and ceiling clad in blackened wooden, the kitchen has a contemporary yet intimate feel. A hidden pantry offers ample storage, while streamlined cabinetry tucks culinary essentials out of sight. Elsewhere, the three bedrooms are situated upstairs, with two of the spaces separated by sliding panels that can be opened up to create a large playroom.

Princess Street House, Brisbane, Queensland

Simon Devitt

A new residence in a historic neighbourhood, Princess Street House was designed to maximise the available space on a snug urban plot. The work of Owen Architecture, the property manages to blend in with neighbouring houses whilst offering a distinctive new take on suburban residential design – it's hardly surprising that the pad was shortlisted for Australia's prestigious Houses Awards.

Princess Street House, Brisbane, Queensland

Simon Devitt

Inside, exposed brickwork creates an industrial feel that contrasts beautifully with the polished marble counters in the open kitchen. True to the home's philosophy, not an inch of interior space is wasted. You can even find bike hooks by the entrance to keep clutter to a minimum.

Princess Street House, Brisbane, Queensland

Simon Devitt

The main living spaces are found downstairs, while the bedrooms are located upstairs, accessed by a handsome wooden staircase. On the ground floor, the interior is punctuated by openings that draw the outdoors in – doorways open up to the exterior landscaping, allowing light and air to flow through the property.

Princess Street House, Brisbane, Queensland

Simon Devitt

With its luxe gold fixtures and chic marble tops, the kitchen is situated at the heart of the home. Light and airy, it's flanked by the carport, which is accessed by a span of sliding doors – you could even set up a large dining table on the driveway to accommodate larger alfresco gatherings.

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Maltoende, Wahroonga, New South Wales

Christie's International Real Estate

One of the finest Federation-style estates we’ve ever laid eyes on, Maltoende sits amongst gorgeous natural scenery, surrounded by manicured gardens, trees and greenery. Over the years, extensions and renovations to the early 1900s estate have been painstakingly sympathetic – the home has been flawlessly preserved and enhanced over the years to create this stately, sizeable estate.

Maltoende, Wahroonga, New South Wales

Christie's International Real Estate

Currently for sale with Christie’s International Real Estate, the gated residence accommodates six bedrooms and three bathrooms, as well as considerable extras including a tennis court, swimming pool, home office, gym, studio and a self-contained guest wing just off the kitchen.

Maltoende, Wahroonga, New South Wales

Christie's International Real Estate

The interior oozes old-world elegance, thanks to the home's palatial proportions and period details, from ceiling cornicing to original fireplaces and stunning woodwork. Perfect for larger families, Maltoende has been thoughtfully designed to offer an array of living spaces, from sociable family rooms to a cosy dining room for more formal entertaining.

Maltoende, Wahroonga, New South Wales

Christie's International Real Estate

One of the highlights of the residence is the fluid indoor-outdoor design that extends across the living spaces, with most rooms opening out onto the home's deep wraparound verandahs. Comfortably fitted out with lighting and plush furnishings, we can't think of anywhere more idyllic to watch a game of tennis.

Gibbon Street, Brisbane, Queensland

David Chatfield, Christopher Frederick Jones

This wonderfully unique two-bedroom home in Brisbane's busy 'Little Italy' area was formerly a post-war worker's cottage. Since Cavill Architects completed an extensive modernisation project, the property has enjoyed notable praise and was even shortlisted in the homes category of the 2018 World Architecture Festival.

Gibbon Street, Brisbane, Queensland

David Chatfield, Christopher Frederick Jones

Featuring two bedrooms, a living area, laundry room, garage, pantry, kitchen, dining room, sitting room and a study, this intriguing home provides a calm oasis in the suburbs of Brisbane. The renovations to the structure were undertaken with a view to create a series of 'relic-like garden walls' repurposed as living spaces.

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Gibbon Street, Brisbane, Queensland

David Chatfield, Christopher Frederick Jones

Swathes of concrete throughout the structure create a cool, minimal feel that tempers the harsh Australian heat. In the rectangular kitchen-diner, a unique slatted skylight allows light to filter down into the space, while shielding residents from direct sun. Framing the leafy courtyard, sliding wood-framed doors line the internal walls, drawing the outdoor zone into the fluid living area.

Gibbon Street, Brisbane, Queensland

David Chatfield, Christopher Frederick Jones

Mindful of its impact on the character of the street, the exterior is relatively modest, however, inside the boundary walls, the home's secrets are revealed. The addition of clever outdoor spaces, a curved balcony and swathes of glass add a modern twist to this historic post-war property.

La Joie de Vivre, Bayview, New South Wales

Christie's International Real Estate

Named after a French saying meaning 'the joy of life', this spectacular provincial-style mansion takes inspiration from the grand chateaus of the Loire Valley. However, La Joie de Vivre is located far from France, occupying a commanding position overlooking the water in Bayview, New South Wales.

La Joie de Vivre, Bayview, New South Wales

Christie's International Real Estate

Offering six plush bedrooms and six bathrooms, this one-of-a-kind property is nothing short of opulent, with sprawling interiors reminiscent of a luxury hotel through every door. Wow-factor touches include 24-carat gold filigree balustrades, parquet flooring and eye-catching arched French windows.

La Joie de Vivre, Bayview, New South Wales

Christie's International Real Estate

Every design detail has been carefully considered – just look at that vaulted glass roof! The breathtaking master retreat offers the ultimate in luxury, while elsewhere you'll find a further array of stunning spaces including a library, home gym and gourmet state-of-the-art kitchen, perfect for sociable entertaining.

La Joie de Vivre, Bayview, New South Wales

Christie's International Real Estate

Currently on the market with Christie’s International Real Estate, the home isn't short of luxury amenities, from the swimming pool and championship tennis court to the luxury guest cottage and six-car garage. Our favourite feature, however, has to be the incredible panoramic views from the sandstone terraces, stretching from Pittwater to the Pacific.

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